TV chef James Martin forced to defend lack of social distancing on 'Saturday Morning Show'

Saturday Morning Show host James Martin has responded after fans were critical when he and guests appeared to fail to adhere to the government’s social distancing rules put in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The show aired in its usual slot on Saturday but viewers were unimpressed at the apparent cavalier approach Martin and his guests took to ensuring their safety and preventing the spread of the deadly virus by keeping a distance of two metres.

The celebrity chef shook hands with guest and fellow cook Nick Nairn and was sat very close to second guest, Coronation Street star Beverley Callard.

He said: "We wanted to put on a show as normal, this was filmed before the new rules came out so hopefully you enjoy today's show and above all else stay safe and look after yourself."

He added: "Hopefully this will inspire you to get cooking in the kitchen, bye for now."

He added in a tweet from his own account: “We recorded seven shows way back before any of these rules came out and we where due to film this weekend and of course followed all the government advice and stopped and stayed home. Stay safe all.”

Wow what abuse is out there .. if those lot got up at 9.30 and heard this first .. we recorded 7 shows way back before any of these rules came out .. and we where due to film this weekend and of course followed all the government advice and stopped and stayed home ..stay safe all https://t.co/gOb6jp1WL0